One of the most overlook problems people confront as they get on is isolation . Loneliness contact one - third toone - halfof the aged population , and it can have tangible result on their physical and mental wellbeing . One retirement home in China is combating this number by inviting young adults to keep resident company in rally for push aside rent rates , Sixth Tonereports .
Sunshine Home , a in camera campaign , state - fund senior support plaza in Hangzhou , China , welcome about a dozen 20 - somethings into the quickness this past July . Costing just 300 yuan , or about $ 44 , a month , the home is an affordable choice for many recent college graduates looking to lead off their careers in the city . As part of the sight , they ’re asked to drop at least 20 hours a month with the elderly tenants , either by reading to them , chatting , showing them how to use their smartphones , or direct classes .
The agreement is a win - win for both age groups : new residents get an cheap place to live and the elder get companionship they may not have had otherwise . Sunshine Home , which was build last year , still call for to fill about 1400 of its 2000 beds .
Most elderly living facility do n’t portion out this trouble with Sunshine Home . Elderly populationsare flourish around the world , including in China , and many breast feeding home are contend to make room for the inflow of new resident physician . Whether the model is capable to succeed on a wider scale of measurement is still to be determined , but Sunshine Home ’s project has receive mostly cocksure feedback from participant so far .
Young people do n’t necessarily need to divvy up a home with lonely senior to volunteer them society . Teenagers volunteer through the California - based nonprofitForget Me Notkeep older adults company by chatting with them on the phone .
[ h / tSixth Tone ]
